Is SI joint pain (or lower back pain) preventing you from living your life to the fullest? Are you tired of taking painkillers and a host of other medicines to reduce SI joint pain? This pain significantly damages the quality of life. But you can get relief if you start practicing SI joint exercises. These exercises are recommended by physiotherapists and doctors, and they help reduce pain, increase the range of motion, and assist you in leading a pain-free life. Keep reading to know all about them.
What Is SI Joint Pain?
SI joint pain is a chronic lower back pain that radiates along the lower hip, groin, and/or upper thighs.
The SI joint or sacroiliac joint can be felt at your lower back where the two dimples are visible. It joins the spine with the hips and is filled with synovial fluid for lubrication and unhindered movement of this joint.
As you age, the ligaments stiffen, and the cartilage wears down. This causes the bones to rub against each other, causing severe pain. SI joint pain can also be caused due to an injury, hip/spine surgery, pregnancy and childbirth, autoimmune diseases, wearing wrong footwear, and wrong posture.
So, how do you get rid of this constant, nagging pain? Do these 12 effective and pain-relieving SI joint exercises regularly. Invest 15 minutes daily, and you will definitely feel better.
12 SI Joint Exercises To Reduce Lower Back Pain
1. Hamstring Stretch On Wall
Targets – Hamstrings and glutes
How To Do
- Lie down on your back with one leg perpendicularly up and against the wall.
- Make sure your hip, back of the thigh, back of the knee, calf muscle, and heel are pressed against the wall.
- You may keep the other leg down or flexed at the knee, according to your comfort.
- You will feel a stretch in your buttocks, hamstrings, and knees.
- Hold the stretch for 3 seconds and release.
- Do it with the other leg.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 3 reps
2. Side Lying Quadriceps Stretch
Targets – Quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes
How To Do
Note: Do this exercise with the help of your physical therapist.
- Lie down on your right with your knees slightly bent.
- Hold your left foot with your left hand.
- Your physical therapist will hold your knee to give support.
- Sightly push your hips out to feel the stretch in your groin area and the front part of your thighs.
- Hold it for 10 seconds and release.
- Increase the hold time to 30-60 seconds as you progress.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 2 reps
3. Hip Adductor Stretch
Targets – Hip adductors, hip flexors, and glutes
How To Do
- Stand with your legs wide apart.
- Place your hands on your waist. This is the starting position.
- Flex your right knee and transfer the weight to your right and lower your hips.
- Go down as far as it doesn’t cause sharp pain.
- Hold the pose for a moment and get back to the starting position.
- Do the same on the left side as well.
Sets And Reps
5 sets of 3 reps
4. Lying Hip Abduction
Targets – Sartorius, glutes, and tensor fascia latae
How To Do
- Lie down on your tummy on a mat.
- Rest your chin on the mat, keep your hands by your side, with the palms facing the ceiling.
- Flex your right knee so that your shin is perpendicular to your thighs.
- Slowly swing your leg to the left and then right.
- Do this 10 times.
- Do it with the other leg.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 10 reps
5. One Leg Knee To Chest Stretch
Targets – Glutes, hamstrings, and erector spinae
How To Do
- Lie down on your back on a mat. Flex both your knees and keep your feet flat on the mat.
- Hold the back of your right thigh with both your palms and pull the right knee close to your chest. Pull as far as you do not experience a sharp pain.
- Hold the stretch for about 10 seconds and release.
- Do this with the other leg.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 6 reps
Tip: You may also do double leg knee to chest stretch.
6. Isometric Hip Adduction
Targets – Hip adductors and glutes
How To Do
- Sit on a mat, place your palms behind you on the mat, and lean back a little.
- Flex your knees and place your feet flat on the mat.
- Place a gym ball between the two knees. Squeeze it by bringing your knees close together.
- Hold it for 5 seconds. Don’t forget to breathe.
- Release.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 5 reps
7. Hip Flexor Stretch
Targets – Hip flexors and glutes
How To Do
- Sit in a lunge position as shown in the image.
- Keep your upper body straight.
- Lunge forward and feel the stretch in your hamstrings and groin area.
- Hold it for 10 seconds and release.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 5 reps
8. Single Leg Bridge With Resistance Band
Targets – Erector spinae, rectus abdominus, hamstrings, and adductors
How To Do
- Sit on a mat and put a resistance band loop just above your knees.
- Lie down on your back, place your hands by your side, and palms on the mat.
- Flex one knee and place your foot flat on the floor. Keep the other leg extended.
- Push your hips up and lift your torso toward the ceiling. Stop when your hips are in line with your thighs.
- Hold it for a moment and then lower your hips on the mat.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 8 reps
9. Lower Trunk Rotation
Targets – Hip adductors, hip flexors, and glutes
How To Do
- Lie down on the mat, place your hands by your side, and palms flat on the mat.
- Flex your knees and place your foot flat on the floor.
- Keeping your torso fixed, lower your legs to the right and then left.
- You will feel a stretch in your lower and upper back and thighs.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 10 reps
10. Isometric Hip Abduction
Targets – Hip abductors, hip flexors, and glutes
How To Do
- Sit on a mat with your back straight and chest up.
- Flex your knees, join your soles and pull your feet close to your body.
- Place your forearms on top of your thighs and gently press down.
- Hold for 3-10 seconds and release.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 5 reps
11. Bird Dog Pose
Targets – Glutes, hamstrings, and hip flexors
How To Do
- Get on all fours on a mat.
- Slowly lift your left knee off the mat and extend your legs.
- When you are comfortable, lift your right palm off the mat and extend your right arm straight ahead, with the palm facing down.
- Hold this pose for 3-5 seconds and release.
- Do the same with the other arm and leg.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 5 reps
12. One Leg Twist
Targets – Hip adductors, hip flexors, hip abductors, and glutes
How To Do
- Lie down on a mat. Flex your knees, and lift your legs off the mat.
- Lower your right leg to the right side while keeping the left leg stable.
- Bring your right leg back to position and then lower your left leg to your left side. Keep the right leg stable. This completes one rep.
Sets And Reps
3 sets of 8 reps
These are the 12 SI joint pain-relieving exercises. Do these with the help of your physical therapist if you are recovering from a recent injury. But keep in mind that there are some exercises that you must avoid to prevent further injury. Here’s the list of exercises you should steer clear of.
SI Joint Exercises To Avoid
- Crunches or sit-ups
- Exercises with a lot of twisting or turning at the hips
- Heavy weight lifting
- Excessive biking
- Tennis and golf
Conclusion
The SI joint is an important joint. If you have pain and inflammation in your hip and groin area or have been injured recently, make sure to see a doctor immediately. Take your medicines regularly and do these exercises to recover faster. Your quality of life will also improve significantly. If you have any questions, post them in the comments box. Take care!
Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions
Can you exercise with SI joint pain?
Yes, take help of your physical therapist in the initial stages.
How long does it take for the sacroiliac joint to heal?
It depends on your injury or disease condition.
Is walking good for sacroiliac joint pain?
Talk to your doctor to see if you are allowed to start walking yet.
The post 12 Best SI Joint Exercises – How To Get Lower Back Pain Relief Fast appeared first on STYLECRAZE.
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